How to Print on Adhesive Vinyl

Adhesive vinyl looks much like a standard sticker sheet for inkjet printers. However, vinyl is much more durable and is often waterproofed to extend the life of your vinyl stickers or decals. Printing on adhesive vinyl does not require anything fancier than an inkjet printer. Inkjet vinyl sticker paper can be purchased online or in office supply stores to attain professional, water-resistant stickers or decals made right from your home printer.

Things You'll Need

• Adhesive vinyl inkjet paper
• Inkjet printer

Instructions

1. Create your sticker or decal design in a graphics or word processing program. Depending on the complexity of the design, the program will vary.

2. Load the vinyl sticker paper into your inkjet printer tray. Make sure the vinyl side of the paper is facing in the direction as indicated by the arrows or diagram on the printer.

3. Go to “File” > “Print.” Click on “Properties” or “Print Preferences.” Under the “Paper Type” or “Media Type” drop down menu, select “Glossy Photo Paper” or “Matte Photo Paper,” depending on whether the adhesive vinyl is glossy or matte. Hit “OK.”

4. Let the vinyl print, then remove it from the tray and let it sit for about 15 minutes to dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Place an adhesive laminate over the vinyl sticker printout before cutting the sticker out or affixing it. This will extend the life of the sticker and keep the ink from fading.

References

• Papilio: Inkjet White Waterproof Vinyl
• Airbrush Tricks: How to Make Vinyl Stickers